Prohibition-Inspired Hidden Bar Brings a Roaring Twenties Vibe with World Class Cocktails and Live Entertainment to West Hollywood
Bathtub Gin, the beloved New York speakeasy bar celebrating its 10th anniversary, by visionary Dave Oz, announced its first-ever expansion, “Bathtub Gin LA” in West Hollywood. The new Prohibition-inspired speakeasy channels a Roaring Twenties vibe, with exceptional craft cocktails, a unique G&T menu, an expansive gin selection, unique décor and robust live entertainment. Located at 7174 Melrose Avenue, it is hidden above Stone Street LA, a working all-day café that opened in July and serves as the speakeasy’s “front.”
Bathtub Gin LA and the café are owned by Oz in partnership with actor/producer/writer Joel David Moore of “Avatar” and “Dodgeball” fame and Laura Parkening, a 24-year West Coast hospitality veteran who serves as General Manager. Accommodating 75 guests, Bathtub Gin LA is open Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm to 2am. It officially opened on December 7th, 2021.
“Bathtub Gin LA is a dream come true and a celebration of our concept’s 10th anniversary milestone,” says Dave Oz, Owner, Bathtub Gin and Bathtub Gin LA. “LA has long been on my radar and I have many friends here. I saw that cocktail culture was starting to bloom and there was a unique opportunity for a Prohibition era-inspired speakeasy. LA also has an incredible entertainment culture, which resonates with our brand’s DNA. Coupled with the fact that Bathtub Gin has a strong bicoastal clientele, the expansion here made perfect sense. Other cities are in the pipeline, too, so stay tuned.”
A New York Bar That Salutes the City of Angels, Its Palate and Local Ingredients
The cocktail menu at Bathtub Gin LA was created by Australia-born Master Mixologist Brendan Bartley, a 15-year industry veteran who also oversees Bathtub Gin in New York, together with Bar Manager Leah Pupkin, who brings a decade of experience in New York, Oregon and Australia. It combines Prohibition-era classics, such as the Negroni, Bathtub Gin favorites, like the Espresso Martini, as well as cocktails unique to Bathtub Gin LA, including the Divine Farmer’s Punch and the Giuseppe. The bar’s extensive G&T selection has been modified by the inclusion of local gins, as well as ingredients that suit Los Angeles’ climate and drinks culture.
“Through our research, we discovered that Angelenos prefer more citrus-forward, refreshing and simpler cocktails compared with New Yorkers,” says Bartley. “We are saluting our New York menu here, but through the lens of local produce and spirits that honor California’s legendary agricultural richness and first-rate artisanal spirits. We also have some exciting, non-alcoholic cocktail options that are in keeping with the Golden State’s healthy lifestyle. As in New York, we strive to be zero waste and use each ingredient to its utmost.”
Signature Cocktails ($18)
- Divine Farmer’s Punch (also available without alcohol) – A fresh, light, floral and silky low ABV amalgamation of Amaro Sibona, Lillet Rosé, rhubarb, winter jasmine, lemon, vanilla and orange blossom
- Giuseppe (also available without alcohol) – Bitter, tart and fruity fresh, this low ABV highball brings together amaro, fluffy freshly-pressed pineapple juice and compressed pineapple juice
- The Occidental – An Old World tipple with a ray of sunshine, it melds gin, lemon bitters, orange bitters, maraschino and coconut
- Midnight Margarita – Tequila marries its up-and-coming cousin, sotol, along with yuzu, habanero, squid ink, sumac, white salt and lime in this complex Margarita variation
- Pandemonium – A twist on the iconic Sazerac, it brings together Cognac, rye, walnut bitters and maple, with pandan lending a West Coast beach vibe and salt adding length
- Fiore Negroni – A floral take on the classic Negroni, with gin, amaro, rosé vermouth, lemongrass, sage and violet
- Whole Lime Daiquiri – With a juiced whole lime (skin and all), Ten To One Rum and gum arabic, this complex Daiquiri pushes the no-waste envelope, while its sweet citrus flavor and plush lime oil delighting the palate
- Espresso Martini – Given Stone Street LA on the ground floor, it would be sacrilegious to omit this guilty pleasure cocktail with Grey Goose Vodka, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, salted maple, cacao and, most importantly, espresso from the aforementioned café
- S’mores Old-Fashion – A tribute to Loretta Scott Crew, who published the first recipe for the campfire treat in 1927, it marries Glyph Royal, graham crackers, cacao, vanilla, bitters and truffle marshmallow
Signature Gin & Tonics ($16)
- Zing 72 & Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic, lavender sprig and dried pear
- Roku Gin & Fever-Tree Indian Tonic, umeshu and basil
- Bombay East Gin & Fever-Tree Indian Tonic, pineapple and cardamom
- Four Pillars Shiraz Gin & Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic, grapefruit and cassia ● Gray Whale Gin & Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic, aloe and lemongrass
- Nolet’s Silver Gin & Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic, rose and makrut lime
- Aczu Gin & Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic, cinnamon and dried orange
Bubbles, Beer and Wine
- Champagne by the glass ($15-$25), by the bottle ($70-$500)
- French, California and Italian wine by the glass ($15-$16) and by the bottle ($70-$75) ● Australian and California beer ($9)
Signature Dessert ($12)
- Toast Your Own S’mores (serves 2) – marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate bar ○ Guests assemble and toast their S’mores over a small flame provided at the table
A Discreet Door Leads to a Nightlife Wonderland Channeling a Roaring Twenties Speakeasy
With no outdoor signage, guests knock on a discreet door on the side of Stone Street LA. Through a peephole, they are asked for a password. Once inside, they are escorted up a stairway where they are transported back in time to what feels like a secret speakeasy set in a 1920s Hollywood home. Guest privacy is assured through a strict no-photography policy.
A Unique Bar Layout and Moveable Furniture Facilitate DJs and Burlesque Performances
Rather than a standard bar, booths and banquettes, the space is dominated by an elaborate 9-foot island-shaped service bar with a bartop of perforated brass and an entire wall dedicated to liquor and glassware. A floor-to-ceiling cabinet showcasing gins from around the world is in the works. Ornate wallpapers, painted parquet floors, a myriad of one-of-a-kind antiques and Victorian couches and tables evoke glorious mansions of days gone by.
The furniture is moveable to accommodate the live entertainment, including DJs, live bands, solo musicians and sophisticated burlesque shows, with a vintage piano for special guest appearances and cameos. A wrap-around outdoor balcony with panoramic Hollywood Hills views, dainty powder rooms and photo-adorned hallways complete the vibe, along with Tiffany lamps and crystal chandeliers. The Butterfly Room, which accommodates 10 guests for private soirées, includes a clawfoot copper bathtub, the bar’s inspiration and namesake.
An Emerging Neighborhood That Is LA’s Equivalent of NYC’s Chelsea
Bathtub Gin LA’s location in the Melrose Arts District straddles the border between West Hollywood and Hollywood. Melrose Avenue enjoys heavy foot traffic and the residential neighborhood hosts numerous up-and-coming fashion stores, interior design showrooms and art galleries, along with a diverse clientele, much like Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood that is home to the original Bathtub Gin. Centrally located in Los Angeles, it is a destination for a growing roster of on-trend and timeless restaurants and bars, like Mozza, Delilah, Milk Bar, Formosa Cafe, Jones, Umbrella Company, Roger Room, Employees Only and Pink’s Hot Dogs.
About Bathtub Gin
With hidden locations in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood and West Hollywood, Bathtub Gin is a Prohibition-inspired speakeasy conjuring a raucous Roaring Twenties vibe. Bathtub Gin celebrates gin-focused craft cocktails, indulgent bar bites and live entertainment from jazz performances and DJs to burlesque. A discreet, privacy-respecting haven, Bathtub Gin attracts celebrities, artists, models, musicians, business moguls and travelers alike who leave their inhibitions at the secret doors for a transporting 1920s experience. For more information on the brand, please visit https://bathtubginnyc.com/, like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bathtubginnyc/ and follow us on Instagram at @bathtubginnyc @bathtubGinLA
